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The SMning Mystery. 

AMmmG DRAMA IN 
FOUB ACTS. 

BY DR. ALBERT CARK. 



Oh! blest be thine unbroken light! 
That watched me as a seraph's eye, 
And stood between me and the night, 
Forever shining sweetly nigh. 

BYRON. 



Tli£ Shining Mystery. 

A Ml]Ss IIsG DRAMA I]>^ 
FOUE ACTh^. 

BY 
Dr. ALBERT CARR. 

HILL CITY, S. D. 

1909. 



I 



Copyright, 1900, by Albert Carr. 



CAST OP CHAR/\CTERS. 

PETE MERTON. An old prospector. 

JOHN MERTON, His wealthy brother . 

PAUL EATON. A young miner. 

JIM KRIMMER. An asflayer. 

HEMP ROODEN. A claim-jumper, 

POLIE DOBENHEIMER. A wandering Dutch- 
man. 

BIDA. The Shining Mystery. Daughter of 
Pete. 

MARIA MERTON. Sister to /Pete and John. 
Her f adis geology. 

MOLLY MORIARITI. An' Irish woman. The 
miner's friend. 

LITTA, Little daughter of Paul and Bida. 



LiaRARY of C0>\--.-. .J. 
Two CoDics Rwetvcc^ i 

JUN II Ikfoy I 






The Shining Mystery. 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. A mountain park in the 
Black Hills. Molly Moriarity's cabin 
rear center, iiarge spruce tree R. 
Rock L. Hemp and Pete discovered R. 
playing cards on an old bench under 
the spruce tree. 

Hemp, I raise you. my pile. 

Pete. I'm out of dust. 

Hemp. Then the pot's mine. 

Pete. No; show up tirst, Hemp. 

Hemp, Well, here it is— four jacks 
and a queen. Beat that, old Pete, if 
you can! 

Pete. I can beat it. Four kings 
and an ace beats it, don't it? 

Hemp. {Presenting pistol.) But it 
don't this, you old dog! This is what 
the boys call the joker. 

Pete. Hemp, you're a dirty cheat! 

Hemp. I am, am I! {Seizes Pete 



4 THE SHIMNG .MYSTERY. 

St7-iJc< ii at him icith butt of xyiHtol.) 
Enter Molly from^ cabiu. 

Molly. {Flourishing rolUngpin,) Let 
go av the old man, ye cowardly 
Si^alpeen. Gim'me that pishtol. {Grabs 
Htrnp's pistol,) 

Hemp. That dust is mine. 

Pete. Not a tfi'^in of it, Molly. 

Hemp. You lying old dog! See, 
Molly, I had four kings and an ace. 
{Picks up and shows Peters hand.) 
' Pete. Hemp Rooden, 1 did think— 

Molly, Yis, an I think so meself, 
Pater. So off wid you, Himp, an lave 
the money to him it belongs to. 

Hemp. I tell you, Molly, that dust 
IS mine, and 1 will have it. woman or 
no woman. 

Molly. Divil a grain, ye darkfaced 
cutthroat! No, not if I die for it. 

flemp. {Seizing her pistol hand , he 
wr^enches pistol from her.) Then die, 
you Irish fool! 

Enter Polie Dobenheimer R. 
He pick« up rollingpin which Molly 
dropped in her struggle with Hemp, 
and strikes him a violent blow on back. 
Hemp drjps pistol. Polie picks it up. 

Hemp. {Walking humphank to L.) 
My (lod, my back 's broke! 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 5 

Polie. Of you dont look oud, you 
kill somepoty. 

Hemp. {Dropping doiD a on rock. L.) 
well, I'll be — oh, my back! 

Molly. Serves ye ngbt, ye blagard, 
for thrym to murther a poor woman. 

Polie, Veil, Missus, now dot veller 's 
quiet, vill you biease deli coe vot 
blace dis it? 

Molly. lodade, I will, for yer a 
lad av liie thru shtripe. This is 
Giiost Canyon. 

Pohe. Ghost Canyon! Is dere some 
ghosts here? 

lUolly. There 's no ghosts here, 
bui a sort av a female shpirit, they 
calls the Shining Mystery. It has 
appeared near your cabin, has it not 
Pater? 

Pete. I wish you would give mt a 
drir:k, Molly. A drink of something 
strong. I 'm weak as a cat. 

Molly. Deed I will. Pater. Come, I'll 
help yoUi {AsMsh Pete to rise) /Visy, 
Pater. Now, moind Himp; take your 
thaivin carcass out o' this, or I'll foiud 
thim as will take it out for ye. Come, 
Pater. {Leads Pete into cabin.) 
Polie. Is your back petter? 
Hemp. No, you infernal sauerkraut! 



6 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

Who the devil are you, aiiywny? 

Polie I bin a DuichtiiHn. M\ rrame 
IS Polie Polie Dobenheimer. 

Hemp. Dobenheimer! You hit like 
a sledsehamrnt-r. 

Poiie. (At bench) Vol's die? Cart 
spiel! You bhiy some carts? 

flemj). Yes! {Polie picks up sack of 
golddusU a,nd hacks to cabin door^ eye 
on Hemp-) Say, [Rising.) that, dust '.s 
mine. 

Polie, {Putting dust in pocket.) Veil, 
all right, I keep it voryou. I bin a l)ank, 
und der veller vot kicks, gets nix. Ver- 
stay? {Points pistol at Hemp.) Skixl 
{Hemp jumps. Polie exits into cabin.) 

Hemp. {Crossing to R. arid sitting 
down on bench.) Done up and knocked 
out on the first deal. I must make a 
raise, sjraehow, and get out. This camp 
seems to be goinjagin me. 

Enter Jim Knmmer Li. 

Jim. Hello, Hemp! Just the feller 
I'm looking for. 

Hemp. What's up, Jim? 

Jim. Nobody round, is there? 

Hemp. No, they're all inside. 

Jim What's the matter? 

Hemp. Kad a little tursle with Molly 
and her gang,— curse 'em! That's all. 



THE SHIISING MYSTERY. 



Jim. {Showing specimen.) Look at 
that rock. 

Hemp. (Examining specimen) Why, 
its the real thing! 

Jim. It'.s a bird, is'nt it? 
Hemp. It's full of free gold. 
Jim. No need to assay ibat! 
Hemp. Where did you gel it, Jim? 
Jim. Od old Pete Morton's dump. 
Hemp. Is the claim staked? 
Jim. Yes, his cabin Htand^} on it 
Hemp. Jim, we must have thit 
claim. You understand, must h;ive it. 
Old Pete must deed it to us. 
Jim. Hemp, you'r a bird! 
Hemp. There's a million in it, if 
there's a cent! 

Jim. But how will you get it out 
of him? 

Hemp. Leave that to me. Meet me 
tonight npar the burnt shaft, and we 
will arrange the busineee. That ftlaim 
must be ours. {Exit L,) 
Jim. Hemp, you'r a b'lrdl {Exit L.) 
Enter Pete from cabin, followed 
by Molly. 
Molly. Don't go tooight, Pater. I'm 
afeared that villain will do you harm. 
Pete. No, Molly, I've nothing to fear 
Nothing ever bothers ray cabin but that 



8 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

spirit — that phantom of the daufjhier, 
who disgraced me. But I soon £>efc i id of 
that. I curse it, and th;it dri> es it away, 
{Exit L.) 

iMoliy Oh, whin '11 this all ind! 
{Exit into cabin.) 

SCENE II. A mountain park in the 
Black Hills. Enter John and Maria 
Merton L. Maria has a liMh* hammer 
in her hand. 

John. I fear, sister Maria, ae haye 
lost the path. 

Maria. Well, John, we can study the 
formation while we are looking for it. 
Now, this rock is what is called apatite. 

JoVm, Indeed, Maria, appetite is a 
thing easily found in these mountains. 
{Enter Jim Krimmei' R.) Well met, sir! 
Can you tell me the way to Molly 
Moriarity's? 

Jim. Yes, sir. It's not half a mile 
below. You're a stranger in the^lack 
Hills, are you not? 

John. I am, sir, in search of a brother. 

Jim. {Aside.) I'll bet a bird he's a 
mining speculator. {Aloud,) Yow are 
not looking for a good mine, are you? 

John. My brother has a claim — 

Jim. What's your brother's name? 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 9 



John. Peter MertoD. Do you know 
him? 

Jina. Well, I should say! He's my 
chum — my partner— my companion — 

John. Indeed, sister, we're in lucK. 
{To Jim.) This, sir, is my sister, Maria. 

Jim. Pleased to meet you ma'm. 
My name's James Krimmer. I'm an 
assayer and dealer in mines. 

Maria. Then, you are familiar with 
the great science of Geology? 

Jim. Know eyei'y word of it. It's a 
bird, is'nt it? 

Maria, I am delighted to meet an 
intelligent miner, at last. I suppose 
you have examined the strata with 
great care; and, in the lower formations, 
discovered some valuable fossiliferous 
remaims? 

Jim. Certain, ma'm, certain! I 
discovered one, in particular, mentioned 
by Dana, and called the great — er~er 
Hippodoodle. Oh, it's a bird! Has a 
head like a mule; teeth like an 
alligator, and a tail li/be a sea-serpent. 
T never assayed it; but it's a bird, 
sure! 

Marirt. A bird! Prom your descrip- 
tion. It resembles a lizard. 

Jim. When I say bird, ma'm; I 



10 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. 

meao that it's uncommon. Just my 
way of speaking, 

Maria, I understand. 

e)im. {To John) If you want a mine, 
sir; I've got a claim, calJed the Gold 
Bird, that goes two thousand to the ton. 

John. Most tons do. 

Jim, 1 mean, in free gold, sir, Now, 
if you'd like to buy a claim, sir; I'll 
sell you the Gold Bird, at a bedrock 
price. 

John. No, my brother has a claim, 
which, if as rich as I have reason to 
believe it is, will not only satisfy his 
ambition, but mine. Here is some of 
the ore, {Shouis Jim speciinen.) What 
do you thiuk of it? 

Jim. (^s*de.) The same stuff I found 
on the dump. (Aloud.) That is rich ore, 
sir. 

John. How far is Peter's cabin from 
here? 

Jim. Six miles on a beeline; forty of 
climbing. You stop at Molly's until to- 
morrow; and I'll come and show you the 
way to Pete's. 

John. {Looking at watch.) It's too 
late to send Peter word, that we are 
here. Well, Mr, Krimmer, we'll do as 
you say. Now, show us t,he way to 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 11 



Molly Monarir.y's. 

Jim. Keep to your right arround the 
ed^e of the mountain, and you cannot 
miss it. You will see the path, {Points 
off right.) when you reach that iartje 
tree, yonder. 

John. {Going.) Come, Maria. You 
will come early, Mr. Krimmer. An early 
start will give us plenty of time to 
climb and for Maria's geological obser- 
vations. 

Jim. Ig will be a delightful trip, sir. 
I can point out so much, that will be of 
special interest, to the lady. 

Maria. You are an intelligent miner. 

Jim. Yes ma'm. I pride myself on 
that point. {Anide.) Oh, I'm a bird! 

John. Remember, sir; early. {Exit 
John R. followed by Maria. She makes 
a loiv bow to Jim. He returns bow 
extravagantly.) 

Jim. This does beat all calculation ! 

Stumbled right on to it. I'll bet that 

John Merton has the coin. I'll soak 

him with the Gold Bird, or die a trying. 

Enter Hemp L. 

Hemp. It must be done tonight. 

Jim, Hemp, Pete's brother is here. 
Just talked with him. 

Hemp, His brother! 



12 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 



\ 



Jim. Yes: and he showed me some 
of the same ore I found on Pete's dump. 
Pete wrote him it was rich as mud. 

Hemp. This explains why Pete 
would'nt let anybody visit him; and, why 
he lived so like a hermit. 

Jim. We must get him away, some- 
how, after he signs over the claim. 

Hemp {Menacingly,) I'll get him 
away. 

Jim. What do you n.ean, Hemp? 

Hemp. To kill him. 

Jim. Good God, we mustn't vlo that! 

Hemp. (Hemj) holding up flask.) Do 
you see this liquor? 

Jim. Yes. 

Hemp. Its poisoned. We''l lee the 
old fool kill himself, after he signs. 

Jim. I can scheme. Hemp; but when 
it comes to killing, — I'm not in it. 

Hemp. {Contemptuously.) Oh, come 
on ! {Exeunt Hemp and Jim L.) 
Enter Polie R. with two big 
pistols in his belt, and a gun. 

Polie. Molly tole me, dot I better go 
und look after der olt man. She salt: 
she's afraid dot broken back rascal vill 
do him some mongkey business, Acht, 
das musz nicht sein! {Exit L.) 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 13 

SCENE HI. /Vnothtr part of the 
mounlKin park. Large rock ceuter. 
Enter Hemp and Jim R. 

Hempi Tnat teiegraai is just the 
thing. It's lucky you happened 
have a blank in your cabin. - 

Jim. I've got e/erything in my cabin. 

Hemp. Yes, everything, ■ but cash 
and a good looking woman. 

Jim. Well, if we carry this deal 
through, I'm durned, if I don't work 
'round that sisier of Pete's. 

Hemp, Who, the stone-cracker, you 
was telling me about? 

Jim. Yes; and she's a bird! She 
says: I'm an intelligent miner. 

Hemp. I've heard of those fellows, 
Jim. They see eyerythmg; know every- 
tiling; but never find anything. {Looks 
off L.) That's a norse and buggy coming 
down the road, isn't Jim? 

Jim. Sure. 

Hemp. It stops— a man gets out — 
ties his horse to a tree — and he's coming 
this way — and a —What the deuce is 
it, Jim? 

Jim. A child — a little child. 

Hemp. Jim, I'm going to hold him 
up. He looks like a tendertoot. 



14 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

Jim. By thunder, no! I'm no high- 
way man. 

Hemp. I want a httio change to 
carry our' affair through. A few 
hundred to old Pete would establish 
confideiK ^■. 

Jim. Well, if you're going to robbing, 
I'm going home. I'm no crow! 

Hemp. No, you're a snipe! A bird- 
livered sniveler! Go hide somewhere, 
and leave this job to me. 

Jim. I tell you. Hemp, I'm willing to 
take part in a little mining iransaction; 
but when it comes to a deal like this, 
I'm not in it. You'll have to do this 
business by yourself. 

Hemp. Go to the devil! 

Jim. Don't hurt him, Hemp. {Exit R.) 

Hemp. (Looking off L.) I wonder 
what he's got in the basket. I'll soon 
find out. {Ties handkerchief ovei- lower 
part of face, and hides behind rock.) 

Enter Paul Eaton L. leading 
Eitta, and carrying a lunch 
basket. 

Paul. Here is a pleasant spot, Litta. 
I am afraid darkness will over-take 
us before we reach Molly Morarity's. 
Papa's baby sleepy? 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 15 



Lilta. No, papa; very UDgy. 

Paul. Well, Litta shall hav^e some 
supper. {Takes food from basket.) Here 
is soQie nice cake. {Gives Litta cake,) I 
wish mama was here. Bui she's gooe, 
and papa does n't know where. Oh, Bida, 
I must find you; I must find the mother 
of my child. I'll sing to forget my 
sorrow. {Sings.) 

Hemp. {Advanci7ig and covering 
Paul until pistol.) Throw up your hands, 
my warbler, and surrender your dust. 

PauJ. {Rising, he holds up hands. 
Litta cling n to l^auVs knee^ and cries.) 
Come, partner, be decent. Take a part 
of what I have, and leave me a stake to 
begin again with. 

Hemp. All I want of you is your 
dust: and I want all of that. No fooling, 
now; or I'll make an orphan of your 
kid before you can bat your eye. 

Paul. I have met men low in the 
scale of humanity; but you are tlie 
dirtiest, lowest, vilest cur, I have ever 
met. {Folic appears R.) 

Hemp. Now, look-a-herP' stranger, 
another of your compliments, and down 
goes the trigger. {Polie points gun at 
Hemp,) 

Paul. {Cooly and quietly.) There is 



16 THE SHINING MYSTEKY 



a man behiud you, with a j^'un poirJ.ed 
at your head. 

Polie. Skix! {Hemp lur :8 head: 
Paul seizes Jus arm and ivrenches pistol 
from him. Polie advanee.% gun on. 
Hemp.) Say, Mr. Prokenpuck, of >ou 
don't look oud, you kill 8oinepoty. 

Paul. Mold him, my friend, niitil I 
carry ihe child to the buggy. If he 
attemps to escape, blow out his brains. 

Polie. You bet, I make leber^Aurst of 
him. {Exit Paul with Litta L.) You're 
vone of dose bad vellert-: a regular 
gelt syiper, {Hemp makes dodging 
feint.) No, moogy business, now. You 
hear dot? {Hemp dodges righ and left, 
eonf using Polie. Hemp springs into 
the air; turns, ayid runs off L. F. E. 
Enter Paul L. R. E, as Hemp disap- 
pears.) Veil, py tarn! 

Paul. Where is he? 

Polie, He shumped over my het 
Hhoosc like a circus, und run avay. 

Paul. Which way did he go? 

Polie. I deok he veot straight oop. 
{Polie Grosses to R.) 

Paul. I'll see you f*gain, my friend. 
{Hurries off L.) 

Polie. I petter hurry too, or may be 
dot robber yeller kill^somepoty pefore I 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 17 

get dere. {Polie holds gun with both 
hands, horizontalhi^ on right shoulder ; 
Orchestra strikes up tune, ^^Jonny get 
your gun ; " Polie crosses to R. with 
goose-walk and exits.) 



ACT II. 

SCENE I. Pete's cabin R. with side 
opeD: table and chairs in it: bunk rear. 
Shaft and windlass Li. Large stump C- 
Dark, heavily timbered surroundings. 
Time, night. Rocky eminence back and 
rear of cabin. 

Enter Pete R. 

Pete. Well, here's the old cabin, at 
last, with It's millions under it. By this 
letter, I may expect John, any day. I 
wish he would come. I've made an 
enemy of Hemp Rooden , and he may do 
me harm. {Enters cabin; lights candle; 
sits at table; puts on glasses; takes 
sealed letter out of pocket, and exam- 
ines it.) Here' is a letter I have n't 
opened. I wonder who it's from. It's 
postmarked, Denver. (Tear* letter open.) 
Ha -from Paul Eaton! The cowardly 



18 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

libertine who ruined my daughter; and 
then sneaked away, leaving? her and her 
shame as the reward of my hospitality. 
But I fled from both her and her shame, 
leaving her my money and my curse for 
her consolation. {Pulls paper out of 
envelope.) What's this — a marriage 
certificate! They were married, afterall. 
He said he had lost the certificate, but 
I wouldn't believe him. Maybe I have 
been too fast. I'll read the letter. {Reads.) 
"Dear father" — {To audience.) What an 
affectionate son-in-law. {Reads.) "You 
stirred up the miners against me; and 
to save my neck from the rope, I had to 
leave without a parting word. {To aud.) 
Yes, the miners would have hung him; 
and I'd about concluded to help them. 
{Reods.y^I have sold my interest in the 
mine for nine thousand dollars. I now 
have plenty of money. Upon my return 
I readily found out your wherea-bouts. 
My baby, Litta, is with me. I found her 
at the widow Harmon's Bida has 
diappeared. She is gone, we know not 
where. I shall start out in search of her, 
tomorrow morning." {To aud.) I have 
committed a great wrong. Oh, why was 
I so hasty and so cruel! Her spirit has 
haunted me, ever since I came to these 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 19 

oaountams. Many a nigbt, as I walked 
to ihe spring, it has appeared lo me. 
Stood right before me— a bright and 
shining mystery. But when I saw it, I 
cursed it; and it sadly vanished away. 
Poor, poor girl! Oh, bow 1 have wronged 
her! But I loved her; worshiped her. 
1 could not bear even the idea of her 
being a creature of shame. The very 
thought of it, drove me mad! {Bushes 
out of cabin.) Daughter! Bida! My 
child, 'my child! {Blue light on emi- 
nence back B: Bida appears, Jtair down 
and all in white.) Oh, dear spirit forgive 
me! {Clasps his hands and falls to 
knees.) Forgive thy erring father. 
Nightly I have cursed thee, but I will 
curse no more. Forgive me dear 
shadow of wrong and sorrow, or my 
heart will break. {Sobs and cries.) 

Bida. {Tremulous voice.) I forgive 
you. {Disappears.) 

Pete. {Bising from kneet.) She's 
gone! Oh, God, what is this? A ghostly 
shadow of the mind; or. Thy visible 
reproof to a guilty conscience? 

Enter Hemp and Jim L. 
Hemp. You bet, I got away from the 
Dutch fool. {Seed Pete.) Hello, Pete! 



20 THE SHINING MYSTEKY, 



Pete. You here! Why have you coine 
at this late hour, Hemp Rooden? To 
murder me? 

Hemp. No, Pete; I'ye come to make 
up with you. 

Jim. (Aside.) He's a bird, isn't he? 
A jay-bird. 

Hempi Come, Pete, lei's go into the 
cabm, and have a talk, 

Pete. (In front of cabin door, picks 
up ax.) No man eaters this cabin, except 
over my dead body. So leave me, tlemp; 
and we'll settle our difference at some 
other time and place. 

Hemp. No, Pete, not until we shake 
and call it square, 

Pete. (Putting domn ax.) Well, 
there's my hand. (They shake.) This 
settles it. Now, go. 

Hemp. No, I want to talk to you 
about this mine. Will you sell it? 

Pete. No. 

Hemp. Not for twenty thousand? 

Pete. No, Hemp, not now. My 
brother is coming out for a season; and 
we are going to develop the mine 
together. He has plenty of money. 

Hemp. Your brother is deadl Jim, 
give Pete that telegram, you brought 
from town this morning. 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 21 

Jim. Here it is, Pete. {Gives Pete 
telegram.) 

Pete. {After readiug telegram.) Yes, 
killed in a railroad wreck. Signed, 
Maria— my sister. John's money goes 
to his children. That defeats all my 
plans. I cannot open the mine. 

Kemp. Yes, you can, Pete. I'll show 
you a way out. There's an old chap, 
rich as a Jew, looking for a mine. He's 
a cousin of Jim's. 

Jim. {Aside) Yes, a forty second cousin 
on the north side 

Bemp. And he'll not buy a foot 
without Jim rncommeuds it. Now, II 
you will sell this mine to me under 
a consideration of twenty thousand, :o 
be paid in ten days, we'll take the affair 
in hand. We'll make the papers so they 
are no good until the money is paid, 
Jim 18 a notary, and can witness the 
transaction. 

Pete. {Aside) I have n'l. much confi- 
den-^e in this fellow; but, if the papers 
show no transfer until the money is 
paid, they are worthless in case of 
default. If he pays, I will then have 
money enough to go and search for the 
daughter, I have wronged — search untd 
I find her. 



22 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. 



Hemp, Well, what do you say? 

Pete. I'll do it. 

Hemp. Then we will go inside, and 
fix up the papers. 

Pete. No, I'll bring out the candle, 
and we can do the business here. 

Hemp, Well, have your own way, 
Pete. I'll do the best 1 can to show 
you, that I'm your friend. I can do no 
more. I might have put up some other 
claim, equally as good asyour's; but you 
are an old man, and I want to help you, 
if 1 can. {Pete goes into cabin.) 

Jim. Hetnp, you're a bird! 

Bida {Peeps over eminence M. 
SpeoJts uith low sepulchral voice.) A 
vulture! 

Hemp. {Seizing Jim.) Who's a 
vulture? 

Jim. I didn't say anything about 
vultures. {With trepidation.)' Did you? 

Hemp. No, you fool! 

Jim. Th — then, who did say it? I've 
heard there was a spirit around this 
place. They call it, the Shining Mystery. 
Molly says she's seen it. 

Hemp, Molly keeps plenty of spirits. 
Why shouldn't she see some? 

Jim. But they're not this kind. 

Pete. {Coming from cabin with ptn. 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 23 

ink, and candle) I've brought pen and 
ink. 

Hemp. {Showing bottle.) A.nd I've 
brought the bottle. As soon as the 
business is settled, we'll have a good 
drink all around, and part in peace. 

Jim. (Aside.) I don't want any. Ugh, 
"Rough on rats!" 

Pete. (Crosses to Jim L. Gives him 
pen and ink.) You hold the pen and 
ink, Jim. 

Hemp. {Sets bottle on stump aiid 
takes out paper.) Read this paper, Pete. 
{Gives Pete written document. All sit 
dovin on stage. Form .semicircle, facing 
audience. Pete, C. Hemp, R. Jim, L, 
Pet^ sets down candle in front of him; 
puts on glasses, and reada documtnt to 
himself.) You see, Pete, it's all made to 
me. Jim wants to appear as a disinter- 
ested party. That will give strength to 
his recommendation. 

Jim. {Aside.) If there was any 
stretigth to my recommendations, I'd 
have sold the Gold Bird, long aeoi 

Pete. This is all right. Hemp. Let 
me read it again. {Pete peruses.) 

Hemp. A dozen times, Pete, if you 
want to. {Low mysterious mu.sic. Bida 
steals forth from R. to stump: empties 



24 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. 

bottle, and steals off L. Music stops.) 

Pete. Hemp, I'll sign this. 

l[emp. Go ahead, old boy; for it is 
twenty thousa.nd in your pocket, sure. 

Pete. {Sig lis,) There, Hemp, that set- 
tles the deal. {Givts Hemp document', 
picks up candle. All i ise.) 

Hemp. Now, we'll have something. 
{Takes up bottle.) Why the bottle's 
empty! Did you drink that, Jim? 

Jim. Me-e-e-e? 

Hemp. It's deuced queer! {Drops 
bottle on stump and advances.) Well, 
Pete, get us some of your best ore. I 
must have something to show. 

Pete. I have some good specimens in 
the cabin — 

Hemp. That wont do, Pete; I must 
have specimens, I see come oui of the 
mine. 

Pete. I've cleaned up the. floor — 

Hemp. Then, put in a shot. We can 
wait 'till you drill. 

Pete. The holes are all ready. I 
drilled uhera this morning. I always 
fire my blasts at night. This gives time 
for the smoke and powder smell to clear 
away by morning. 

Hemp. Well, take down some giant; 
and load her up and touch her off; and, 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 25 

as soon as the smot^e clears a a ay, you or 
I can go down long enough to get, h few 
good specimens. 

Pete. {Gets sticks of giant powder 
and loading tools back L .and, then, 
advances to shaft.) You feel contiij i', 
Hemp, you will have the money for 
me inside of ten days? 

Hemp. {Advancing to Pete L. Jim Ji.) 
I know I will. 

Pete. {With candle still in hand, 
getting into shaft,) Well, then, I'll get 
you the specimens. And when you see 
them, mark me, you will open your eyes. 
This mine is rich, Hemp, rich in free 
gold; but I am too old and too poor to 
open it up. {Decends into shaft.) 

Hemp. {Advances to shaft— Chord.) 
Mine, at last! 

Jim. What are you going to do, 
Kemp? 

Hemp. Perfect my title to this claim. 
Bring me that ax near the door. 

Juii. {Getting Hemp ax,) What you 
going to do with the ax? 

Hemp. Chop away the upper section 
of the ladder. 

Jim. Thx:!n. how will he get out? 

Hemp The blBst will blow him out. 

Jim. On. Hemp, no! For God sake, no! 



26 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

Hemp. Hands oflf, you coward, or I'll 
cut you in two! {Chops ladder.) '\ here 
goes the ladder! Jt may strike him, and 
fin eh him before t,he blast. 

Bida appears L. with ghostly 
and tragetic movement. Jim 
sees her; gives a yell, and rush- 
ing off R, runs into Polie, who is 
just entering, and knocks him 
down. 

Hemp. {Seeing Bida ) The spirit, by 
thunder! {Rushes off R.) 

Polie. {Sitting up.) Dot must'a bin a 
sow clone, vot struck me. {Stands up: 
sees Bida.) Vot's dot? Der ghost! Oh, 
ray! Scat! {Bidabecons tohim,) ^ein^ 
I dont bin acquainted mit you. 

Bida. {Advances to shaft and peer* 
in. Moon rises. Speaks plaintively.) 
Help, man, help! 

Polie. Der ghost is in trouble. Und a 
nice, leedle, vomeu ghost. I help her 
anyvay. I don't bin afraid of anytings, 
ven I don't vas scart. Veil, Miss Ghost, 
vot can I do vor ycu? 

Bida points down shaft,. Polie 
advances to shaft with fear and 
trembling, and looks in. 



THE SHINxNG MYSTERY. 27 



Polie. You don't vant me lo go down 
in dot deep, dark hole, do you? Ow, nit! 

Pete. {In ahaft.) The ladder— the 
blast! 

Bid a. (Kneeling and looking in shaft,) 
It is Bida, father. Shall 1 let down the 
windlass rope to you? 

Pete. No— the ladder -the blast! 

Bida. [Rising.) He is dazed with 
fright. 

Bida runs back and brings sec- 
tion of ladder and thrusts it into 
shaft. . 

Pete. Quick- the blast! 

Bida. There, I've locked it into the 
old ladder. (Motions to Polie to assist 
her.) 

Polie, You shoost vant me to hold der 
ladder mit you. (Takes hold of ladder 
withher.) Kennen eie Deutch sprechen? 

Bida. Hold fast, my friend, or my 
faiher is lost. 

Poiie. (Aside) Der ghosts vater— das 
ist der dyvel! (Pete groans.) He's 
coming oop! (Dolefully.) Und I'm hold- 
ing der ladder for him Ooovv! 

Bidti. Steady, friend! 

Bida graspS Pete, as he comes 



28 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 



out of shaft and hurries him to 
to rear 0. 

Polie. {Letting go th* ladder.) Dere 
Sfoes der ladder down der shaft, uni 
every hair in nay het mit it. 

Pete. le it really you, Bida? 

Bida. Yes, father, I am the Shining 
Mystery. 

Pete. ( Throwing his arms about her.) 
My daughter, my daughter! 

Bida. {Picks up Pollers guyi andjgives 
it to father,) Come, father. Quick! 
They may oome back and kill you. 
{Hurries him off L.) 

Polie. Der ghost has found her tater: 
maype her motter is in der hole, too. 
{Blast goes off, knocks him down to 
sitting posture.) Der olt lady is 
coming! 

To imitate blast, gun is tired off 
left; and powder in a pan down 
the shaft touched off. As the 
smoke rises from the shaft a 
handful of pebbles is showered 
on stage from the right. 

CURTAIN. 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 29 



ACT III. 

SCENE I. Same as scene first, act 
second. Windlass rope in shaft. 

Jim. Here is Pete's cabin. 

John. He may be inside. I'll go and 
ascertain. I haven't seen him for years. 
[Bnters cabin; looks around; exits into 
room^ back.) 

iViana. Tnis formation, Mr. Krimmer, 
i§ quite irregular. 

Jim. Nature's junk shop, ma'am, 
nature's junk shop. 

Maria {Chipping with little hammer.) 
Ttjis is all archaean. 

Jim. Yes'm. (Aside.) I wish, I was in 
the ark— Noah's ark. 

Maria, A.nd here are the scratches 
upon the rock. 

Jim. Yes'm, there's been some tali 
scratching here. 

Maria. This is all the work of the 
ancient ice period. 

Jim. It certainly was. {Aside.) I feel 
like a cake of ice, whenever I look at 
that shaft. 

John. {Coming from cabin.) He is 
,;()t in the cabin. 

Jut), Probably otf on a tramp. 



30 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

{Aside— advancing R.) A tramp from 
which he will never returo. Oh, liord! 

John. {Exhibiting specimens.) Maria, 
here are some of the finest free gold 
specimens. I have ever seen. If this 
mine contains much of this material, it 
is one of the richest. I wish Peter was 
here. The cabm is unlocked. He can- 
not, be far away. 

Jim. {Aside.) No— only a few feet. 

Enter Kemp L. 

Hemp. {With hand on ivindlass) 
This is my mine. 

John. Your mine! How so, sir? 

Hemp. I bought it, yeslerday, 

John. Peter was a fool to sell it. 

Hemp. I purchased it for a wealthy 
sVndicate, I shall close the deal in three 
days. 

John, What was the consideration? 

Hemp. Sixty thousand dollars. 

John. {Aside.) If there is much of 
this ore in the mine, it is worth a 
million. I must examine one ledge. 
{Aloud.) Will you permit me to examine 
the ledge? 

Hemp. Certainly. I'll go with you. 

Jim. {Aside.) My time has come! 

John. {Going to rear of shaft and 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 81 



looking in.) Why, Ibe ladder is brokeij 
away! Peter may have fallen, and be 
lying dead at the bottom of the shaft. 

Maria. Oh, horror, brother! 

Jim. {Aside.) That's where he is, 
dead as a mackajrei and peppered with 
free gold specimens. If T was a bird, I'd 
fly— I'd fly! 

John. {Picking up candle.) Here is 
his oandle. I'll go down on the ropet 

Maria. Oh, no, John! You might fall. 

John. Pall! You forget, sister, that 
I served tive years before the mast. 
Give me a rope to hold to, and that is all 
I ask. 

Kemp You lower me first, mister. 
{Aside) I'll not trust that Krimmer. As 
soon as the business is settled, J '11 
settle bim. {To John.) I'm ready, sir. 
Give me the candle. 

John gives candle to Hemp; 
grasps windlass crank right side; 
Hemp gets on windlass rope, 
and John lowers him Then, 
John goes to front of ah aft, and 
takes hold of rope. 

John. When I shake the rope. Mr, 
Krimmer, you will wind up. {Slides 
down rope.) 



32 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. 

Jim. YeB, sir. [Aside.] I'm wound up, 
already. {Crosses to shaft and looks in.) 
He'e down— (J« seized with a sudden 
remorse of conscience. Rushes to Maria 
with terror and trembling.) Oh, Mies 
Merton, I'ml a terrible wicked man. 

Maria. What do you mean, Mr. 
Krimmer? 

Jim. I mean, I'm a cheat — a swin- 
dler — a highwayman— a murderer — 

Maria. Mr. Krimmer, if you say 
another word, I'll scream. 

Jim. Don'l, ma'am, don't! I only 
want to confess. We sent him down 
the shaft with a candle; and Hemp, that 
man who is down in the pine with your 
brother, chopped away the ladder, 
and Pete was blown to pieces hy the 
blast. He, now, lies a dead and 
mangled corpse at the bottom of the 
shaft. {Maria screams.) Oh, spare me, 
spare me! {Falls prone before Maria. 
Folie crawls out from under bunk in 
cabin. Has bloody rag around head,) 
Don't let them hang me! 

Polie. I dreempt, I heard somepotty 
scream. 

Maria, Help! 

Polie. {Rushes on from cabin.) 
Vot'sder matter, voman? 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 33 

— ik , 

Oh, protect me! 

Polie, Vot shall I brotect you vrom? 

Man a. That man 

Polie. Veil, he's— 

Maria, Look — the rope — quick — it 
moves— wind it up! John, my brother 
is in the shaft with a stranger — the man 
who murdered, Peter. 

Polie. Vot's his name? 

Maria. {Pomting to Jim.) Th3.t man 
called him, Hemp. 

Polie. Der gelt-sviper! {Runs to right 
of windlass; winds ciank violently; 
section of ladder comes> up on rope.) 
Dot's der pisiness, vot I dropped last 
night, ven der hair flew oud of my het. 

Jim. {Jumping up and rushing to 
Polie.) Don't let them hang me! 

Polie. {Smashing him and knocking 
him down.) Be quiet! You scare me to 
det mit your lunatics. {Maria staggers.) 
Vot's der matter mit der voman? 
{Catches her in hi» arms. She faints.) 
She's done kiboodled! 

Enter Molly R. 

Molly. Polie, what's the matter? 

Polie, Die voman's kiboodled, Molly. 

Molly. You're huggin her, ye thaif I 

Polie. {Throwing her to Molly.) Take 



34 THE SHINING MYSTERY. ' 

her — der rope's viggling. 

Molly. What's the matter wid your 
head? 

Polie, I struck it against a sowclone. 

Molly. [Pointing t@ Jim.] And what 
ails that feller? 

Polie. He's get gramps, und he's 
layin down to gount 'em. 

Molly. May the divil twisht'im! 
(Places Maria on rock R.) Say, Polie, 
what's the matter here, anyway? 

Polie. Ghosts— murter — shootin, und 
kiboodling. Dot's Vot's der matter, 
Molly, 

Molly. The Lord rave us! 

John. {In shaft.) I am on the ladder, 
coming up. Lower the windlass rope to 
me. {Polie lowers rope.) Steady! Now, 
swing the rope over and I'll climb out. 
{Polie swings rope over.) There! Hold 
the crank. {Polie holds windlass crank; 
John climbs out on rope.) It is all right, 
Maria: Peter is not in the mine. 

Maria. {Rising and advancing.) 
Thank heaven! 

Jim. The bla«t blew him out. Oh, I 
can't hang. (Rushes into cabin. Polie 
lowers rope full length.) 

Molly. How do you know, 'til you 
thry, you sniveler! Sure, that feller 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 35 

is goin mad wid the bug faiver. 

Polie sits on windlass crank; 
takes out pipef lights it and 
smokes. 

John. What is the matter with 
Knmmer? 

Maria, Oh! he has confessed all: 
bow he and the miner, you went down 
in the mine with, overcame Peter; and 
chopping away the ladder, left him to be 
blown to pieces hy the blast., 

John. You don't say so! {Takes out 
paper.) Then they must hBve obtained 
this paper by fraud. 1 have just paid 
the fellow, down in the mine, one 
thousand dollars, in cold cash, for it. 

Polie. (Rising.) Is dot so! 

John. Is that you're husband, Molly? 
{Polie drops his head.) 

Molly. {Squirming.) No, sir. It's 
Polie- one av the bravest mm — 

Polie. Der rope's viggling, Molly. 

Molly. Thin- let it wiggle! 

John. Are you hurt, sir? 

Polie. Nein. 

John. This Hemp must not escape. 

Polie. How gan he? He's down der 
hole, und gan't get oud, undil I pull 
him oud. 



36 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

John. But I want my money. 

Polie. I'll go und ged it. {Slides 
down windlass rope.) 

Molly. (Turning.) Where's, Polie? 

John. Gone down the shaft. 

Molly. What for? 

John. My money. 

Molly. /\.ud is llimp, there? 

John. Yes, ma'am^ 

Molly. See, the rope's shakiu. Let 
me at the windlass. Come, sir, help me. 
(Molly goes to right of windlass; John 
to left.) Now, slow and etidy, sir. 

Jim comes from cabin. Groans. 

Molly Another cow gone! (They wind.) 

Polie. (In shaft.) Hold, steaty und 
fast. I'm on der ladder, goming oop; 
der odder veller's on der rope. Put 
down do'o liddle shtep-ladder, so I gan 
gome oud. 

Molly. Hold the crank, sir. I'll give 
him the ladder. (Puts down ladder to 
Polie.) Now, aisy, Polie. 

Polie. Holt solit, Molly, or I'll go 
to der bottom of der sea in a minnoot. 
(Molly holds ladder ; Polie comes out 
on it, pistol in hand. Goes to crank, 
and winds with John. Hemp appears in 
shaft with rope around waist.) Here, 
Molly, holt der grank. (She holds crank.) 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 37 

Easy — DOW, oop a liddle. {Pulls Hemp 
out front by colar, covering him with 
pistol) 

Jim. Hemp, I have confessed all. 

Hemp. {Springing on him like a 
fiend) You have, have you! 

Maria screams, and runs into 
cabin, and off R. 

Moiiy. {Following her.) Niyer moind, 
Miss Merton, Polie'il take care av thim, 

Jim. Oh, stop him! {Johii about to 
interfere.) 

Polie. Lied'em fight it oud, sir. Of 
dey kill each odder, dot saves der hang- 
ing Dake dis pistol, und vatch dot dey 
don't get avay, {Gives John pistol out 
of belt; keeps one in hand. Hemp 
and Jim struggle from R. to shaft.) 
Vatch'em, sir! 

Molly, {Callinig.) Oh, Mr. Merton, 
you're sister has a fit. 

John runs into cabin and off R. 

Jim. Don't murder me, Hemp. 

Hemp. You cur! 

Jim. You're strangling me. Hemp. 

Hemp. I'll kill you, you driveling 
coward! {Swings Jim around into 
shaft.) In you go! {Jim clings to Hemp^ 
pulls his legs into shaft.) Be careful! 
I've got giant powder and capa in my 



38 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. 



pocket, 
Jim. Don't drop me, Hemp. 
Hemp. {Beating Jim on head with 
fist.) Down you go, you white livered 
scab! {Jim disappears into shaft with 
terrific yell.) 

Po]ie. Dere goes number vone;' {Aside) 
und here is goes number two. {Pushes 
Hemp into shaft.) Dot's der end of deir 
mongey pisiness. 

Loud report heard; Hemp's old 
hat and smoke comes up out of 
shaft. Polie puts pistol in belt; 
takes out pipe and tobacco; fills 
pipe; takes off coat and lays it 
on stump; sits on stump, and 
lights pipe and smokes. Enter 
Molly from cabin. 
Molly. Poke, what was that awful 

noise? 

Polie. Anodder sowclone. Molly. 

• Molly. An where are the min? 

Polie. Down der hole. 



ACT IV. 

SCENE I. Inside Molly Moriarity's 
cabin. Table R. Chairs around room. 
Molly discovered. 

Molly. Sure, the ind of villany is 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 39 

dith. The scoundrels got their just 
desairts. I tould Bida her husband was 
here; and, that she may now come out of 
her hiding. The work of the Shining 
Mystery is done. Bless her, poor choild, 
I've fed her and watched over her, while 
she hovered around the dure of the 
father who cursed her. Sure, but it'ill 
be a tinder mating between her and her 
husband, and her swate little babe! 
Enter Bida at door, cautiously. 

Bida. Molly? 

Molly. Bida, me jewel, are you come! 

Bida. Is he here? 

Molly. No, Bida, dear, he wint over 
to Velton's with your father to mate 
your paiple. 

Bida. Did you tell him? 

Molly. Not a word. 

Bida. A.nd my babe? 

Molly. She's with your husband. 

Biba. i^nd do you expect them soon? 

Molly. Ivery wane av thim'ill be here, 
before we know it. Hush! there's some 
one, now. Just run into that room, and 
kape yourself close. Oh, but it'ill be a 
surprise! 

Bida. Oh, my sweet babe, to clasp 
you to my breast! This will be a day 
of recompense and joy, indeed! (Polie 



40 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. 



sings outside. Exit Bida R.) 

Enter Polie at door. 

Polie. Veil, Molly eferytings is all 
right. [Takes out pipe and fills it.) 

Molly. Yie, Polie. 

Polie. You Defer saw such huggin 
und hant shakin as dere vas oop dere, 
vea dose peobles met. I vas so obdoodled 
by der sight of it, dot I shook hants mit 
meinself. 

Molly. Sure, Polie, there's more joy 
and surprise for thim yet. 

Polie. Is dot so! 

Molly. They have'nt seen the ghost yit. 

Polie. I saw dot, Molly. Und it do dis. 
{Becons with finger.) Dot means, it 
vants me. Und I see, it vas a nice 
liddle voman ghost, bo I go und help her. 

Molly. Ah, Polie, I'm afraid, it's the 
women you're fond of. {Looks at him 
ooquettishly. Polie sneezes.) Go on wid 
your story. 

Polie. Den I took holt of der ladder ; 
und, priddy soon, I hear some vone 
coming oop. It vas der dyvel; und der 
ghost grapped him, und run avay mit 
him. Oh, my! I vas so scart, der hair all 
flew oud of my het. Look vonce. {Takes 
off cap and shows hald head.) Den 
bang goes der shaft hole, und knocked 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 41 

,me flab down on my — back. Ach! 
I tought I vas det. 

Molly. By the powers, you had a 
wild time of it, Polie. 

Polie. I don't vant any more ghost. 

Molly. Weil, Poke, where are yegoin 
now, an what are ye goin to do? 

Polie, I don't know, Molly. I like it 
Xjriddy veil, right here. [Sits down,) 

Molly. [Moving up to him.] Sure, 
Polie, I belaive this'ill be a good camp. 
{Smiles at him coquettishly; nudges him.) 

Polie. (Sneezing.) Molly, ven you 
look at me like dot, you obdoodle me. 

Molly. Do I, Polie? 

Polie, Ya-ah. 

Molly. Faith, Poke, I've fallen in 
love wid the Dut'jh, since I saw you. 

Polie. {Jumping up.) Is dot so! Veil, 
Molly, I shoost — {Earnestly.) sometimes 
feel, — ven I denk of you — {Molly smiles 
at him eoquettishly.) Bave you got a 
match? 

Molly. No; but I have a pin. {Sticks 
him.) 

Polie. {Jumping.) Is dot so! 

Molly. Sit down here and watch the 
house, until I come back. I want to go 
up the road a pace and see, if thim 
paiple are coming, nnd moind, now, if 



42 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. 

any one comes, while I am gone, you be 
very unconsairned; bekase, there's a 
sacret hero that must be hid. 

Poiie, Ungonzairned? You mean Jike 
dis? [Whistles; and assumes an uncon- 
cerned air.) Is dot it? 

Molly. The very thing. (Going.) Now 
moind, Polie, -unconsairned; for there 
are plinty av pryers around, 

Poiie. 1 don't know vot dot zecret is; 
but, you bet, I be ungonzairned. {Exit 
Molly at door.) 1 like dot Molly priddy 
\^ell. She don't vas afrait of anydings. 
Of she try to marry me, I let her, by 
tam. I tough t I heart somepotty. I 
must be unconzairned. {Sits in chair at 
table and whistles.) 

Enter Bida R. 

Bida. I cannot restrain my impa- 
tience. Why do they not come! Molly 
gone, too! May be J can induce this 
German to go and hurry them up. It is 
•the same noble fellow who assisted me 
so bravely upon that fearful night. 

Polie. Dere's somepotty, sure. Dey 
viil see I bin plenty unconzairned. 

Bida. 1 must see my child, at once. 
My good friend, — {Polices whistle grows 
v)eak.) will you — 



THE SHINING MYSTERY. 43 

Polie. (Polie turns head', sees Bida.] 
Der ghost! [Jumps over table ; falls on 
back, and pulls table over on him.) 

Enter at door: Molly, and Paul 
leading Litta; Pete, Maria, and 
John. 

Molly. Paul Eaton, there stands 
your wife, Bida. 

Bida. Paul! 

Paul. Bida! 

Bida. My babe, my babe! {Clasps 
Litta.) 

Peter. God bless you, ray childrefl! 
Bida here is your uncle John. You have 
met Maria. {Maria and Bida embrace 
and kiss.) 

John. {Taking Bida''s hand.) When 
I last saw yuu, Bida, you were a babe in 
your mother's arms. 

Molly. Who upset the table? {Sets 
table on legs— sees Polie.) Why, Polie, 
what's the matter? 

Polie. {Rising.) I bin unconzairnodi 

Molly. Why did you pull over the 
table? 

Polie. I saw dot ghost. 

Molly. There's no ghost. Look, there 
she is; the daughter of the man you 
helped out of the shaft, and tht> wifo of 



44 THE SHINING MYSTERY. 

him you rescued from that villain, Himp. 

Polie. Is dot so! 

Bida. Here is my hand, my noble 
fellow. It will coDvince you, I am flesh 
and blood. 

Polie. {Takes her hand.) I hope, you 
oxcuse me, missus, for tooking you for a 
ghost; but, by jimminie, 1 tought you 
vas. You priddy near kiboodled me. 

Bida. Well Polie — that is your name, 
1 believe — 

Polie. Yah, my name is Polie — Polie 
Dobenheimer. 

Bida. We shall take you and dear 
faithful Molly into our family circle. 

Polie. How is dot, Molly? Are we 
going to be a vamily? 

Molly. Jist as you say, Polie {Polie 
f>neezes.) 

Paul. Dear Bida, faithful wife, faith- 
ful daughter, faithful mother, and 
faithful friend, surrounded by our 
encompassing loves, cold censure steals 
away. 

Bida. Dear Paul, in peace and plenty, 
a mother's joy, a husbands love, and 
father's blessing, ends my service as the 
Shining Mystery. 

CURTAIN. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




017 400 864 4 



